• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Life After Breast Cancer ; BATTLING WOMEN WHO BOUNCED BACK FROM THE BRINK OF DEATH

Posted on: Wednesday, 27 October 2004, 06:00 CDT

THERE is life after breast cancer. That's the message the Irish Cancer Society are desperately trying to instill in the minds of women everywhere.

Every year almost 2,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and that number is constantly increasing. Latest statistics for 2000 have revealed 671 women lost their lives to the devastating disease.

Rates of breast cancer are now greater than lung and bowel cancer and is the second most common form after skin cancer.

It is also the second biggest killer of Irish women, only heart related illnesses have a higher mortality rate.

But it isn't all bad news - most cases of the disease are treatable if it is caught early.

Early detection is vital and the Irish Cancer Society's Action Breast Cancer Group has urged Irish women to be breast aware and check themselves regularly.

October is breast cancer awareness month and the ideal time to start taking steps to protect yourself from the terrible disease, such as stopping smoking and eating more fruit and veg.

The Irish Mirror spoke to three ladies who have heard the words all women dread - but have come out the other side smiling.

ANNE MARIE DUNNE, 39

IN 1993 I found a little lump in my right breast and went to my GP who sent me to the breast clinic for a mammogram.

I was only 28 and wasn't particularly breast aware. I thought breast cancer only happened to older women and didn't check myself regularly.

Part of me couldn't believe I had cancer but I had to deal with it.

After my diagnosis I had a segmental mastectomy, where they removed the lump and surrounding tissue. I also had auxiliary clearance, where they remove the lymph nodes from under the arm.

The good news was they were all clear. I didn't need chemotherapy, but I had six weeks of radiotherapy.

The process was very tiring and often my skin would become red and irritated.

Things were going well until November 1995. I began to feel very breathless. I found keeping food down difficult and was losing weight.

When I started to cough up blood I became very worried and went back into Vincent's where I was kept in for four weeks while they did lots of tests.

A CT scan revealed a secondary tumour on my lung. I couldn't believe it, I thought everything was finally getting back to normal.

I had to have nine months of chemotherapy and got my hair cut short when I realised I was going to lose it. If I was going out I would wear a wig. I had a stem cell transplant, which allows for much higher doses of chemo. My nurse Mary Murray was a great help through all of this.

My treatment finished in September 1996 and now I have yearly check-ups and scans every two years.

But thank God all has been clear, and I don't mind going at all.

HELEN KENNEDY, 54

FOUR years ago I went to see my lady GP as I was feeling fluey, but she found a lump.

It was 10 days before Christmas and I was scared. After the hospital discovered it wasn't a cyst I had a biopsy.

Then two days later the surgeon phoned and asked me to come in the following day at midday and to bring someone with me.

I knew it was serious then and my husband Richard came to the hospital with me.

The surgeon explained everything to me but all I could hear was, 'You have breast cancer'.

I was sent for a mammogram three days after Christmas and had a lumpectomy and later 12 glands removed, two of which showed signs of cancer.

Then I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy for six months. I didn't lose all my hair, it just got a bit thin.

I have six children - two boys and four girls. My eldest Anne- Marie was training in nursing and my youngest Elizabeth was only 10. I felt she was too young to understand and tried to keep it from her, but now she knows all about it.

I got great support from family and friends. I think you can get through anything with good support and thank God so far everything has come up clear.

I suppose if I have learnt anything it's to make the most of every day and I don't fight about little things any more.

ROSA McAULIFFE, 63

I WAS on holiday 10 years ago when I noticed that one of my breasts had changed shape.

I checked myself and discovered a lump. When I got back to Ireland I was told I had breast cancer and would have to have a mastectomy.

I also had to have lymph glands removed and undergo six months of chemotherapy.

I got through each stage of my treatment by taking it one step at a time.

Losing my hair was difficult but it's not really like being bald as at least I know it would grow back.

I took Tamoxifen, which helped reduce the chance of the cancer returning, for five years. At times I felt unwell, but it has to be done so you just get on with it.

Two years after my mastectomy I had a reconstruction. It was quite a big operation and quite sore but definitely worth it.

My three daughters and one son were in their late teens and early 20s and were very upset when I was diagnosed, but they were a great support to me.

And I was surprised by how supportive other people were.

About six years ago I became a Reach To Recovery volunteer, so I can help other women.

I can honestly say I have never looked back. After all my treatment I decided to try something new and took up golf and became lady captain in 2002.

I think it's important to believe in yourself. I have had the diagnosis every woman dreads and come out of it the other end, so I feel a bit triumphant.

These days I don't wait until tomorrow.

And my daughters are now much more aware about breast cancer and check themselves.

FOR advice and information on breast cancer call the Action Breast Cancer helpline on 1800 30 90 40.

If you are worried about other forms of cancer call the Irish Cancer Society on 1800 200 700 .HOW TO BE BREAST AWARE

1 - Know what is normal for you, then you will find it easier to spot changes.

2 - Know what changes to look out for. Stand in front of the mirror and look from different angles for changes.

3 - Feel for any changes from time to time. An easy way is with a soapy hand in the bath or shower.

4 - Talk to your GP straight away if you find any changes. Most changes you find in your breasts will be completely benign, but this doesn't mean you shouldn't see your doctor straight away.

5 - Act by attending routine screening if you are aged over 50 years. Screening can help to detect small changes in your breast before any signs and symptoms are noticeable. However you also need to be breast aware between routine screenings.

Source: Daily Mirror

More News in this Category